Page 45 of Beyond the Ruby River
Niya’s cheeks took on a faint hint of pink that gave Mahu the courage to continue. She’d thought to fluster him—and she’d succeeded—but Mahu wouldn’t be pinned by human modesty in the company of immortals to which such limitations clearly didn’t apply. He would adapt.
“It’s different, which I knew right away, even though Daka had kept his secrets.” Mahu paused to consider his words carefully. “Joyous and intense as if nothing else matters in the world but the ways in which we come together to please each other. I’ve never known anyone like Daka, with his peculiar blend of explicit knowledge and innocent rapture. As to whether he’s eating enough, you’ll have to ask him. He’s a grown man and must be trusted to look after his own needs.”
Daka sank farther into his side at his words, squeezing Mahu gently with his tail. Mahu caught his expression, rather happy with a dreamlike quality that Mahu couldn’t believe he’d put there.
Meditarai began a slow clap. “A pretty speech by a pretty man. I can see why he likes you.” Her jaw remained clenched. “It doesn’t change how you treated him.”
Mahu knew that better than anyone. “I was afraid. I have my reasons, which I shall keep private, but Daka knows them. I’m sorry to have hurt him. I feel awful for it, and I’ve apologized.”
“Mother you know it was my fault to begin with,” said Daka. “You mustn’t hold what happened against Mahu. He didn’t have to come here.”
Meditarai’s expression indicated she’d rather he hadn’t, but she kept that to herself. Mahu hoped the interrogation was winding to an end. He’d grown tired and longed to curl up with Daka to rest.
“Very well.” Meditarai set her drink upon an intricately carved end table and leaned forward. “Your human lover is brave and clearly cares for you as you do him, but please don’t allow yourself to be deprived again. A mother’s nerves cannot withstand her son’s starvation.”
“I’m sorry,” said Daka in his small voice.
Her attention turned to Mahu. “And you. If you’re to be my son’s sole provider, you must take better care of yourself. You’re sick. What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s only a cough,” Mahu assured her. “I’m fine.”
“Still. You are mortal, my son is not,” Meditarai pointed out unhelpfully.
Mahu wasn’t certain what she expected as to his reply. “Then I shall have to cherish him all the more in our limited time together.”
She narrowed her gaze but let the topic drop. “Will you be returning to Naukratis?”
Daka glanced to Mahu for an answer.
“I’d like to, but we haven’t talked about it yet. I’ve work there that I enjoy, and Daka has become quite skilled himself.”
“Yes, I want to go back,” said Daka, smiling. His blue eyes shone bright in the dappled light of the grand sitting room.
Meditarai and Niya stood in unison. Mahu and Daka followed their cue.
“We won’t keep you,” said Niya as she crossed the room to take her brother into her arms. Daka nearly disappeared in her embrace, she was so much the larger. Her eyes remained on Mahu. “When next I come to visit, I’d like to see this shop of yours I’ve heard so much about.”
“Of course. You’re always welcome.”
They said their goodbyes and without further ado, Mahu and Daka were strolling through the courtyard between the towering statues. Mahu gave in to a short fit of coughing, then concentrated on relaxing and his chest slowly unclenched.
Daka stared up at him, eyes full of concern.
“I’m all right.”
“You’re certain?”
“Of course.” Mahu presented a reassuring smile, watching as Daka flicked his tail. “Won’t you need to hide that?”
“I know.” Daka grinned. “I wanted to do this before enchanting it away.”
Mahu glanced down in time to see the black looping appendage whip into a blur and smack him playfully across his bottom before it disappeared.
“You had asked what I could do with it.” Daka’s smirking grin brought laughter to Mahu’s lips.
“And you said you’d show me later,” Mahu reminded him.
“Take me to your room at the inn, and my tail and I are utterly at your service.”
